108‐In. Diameter Steel Water Conduit Failure and Assessment of AWWA Practice

Abstract

The paper describes failures, their investigations, and repair of a 108‐in. diameter buried steel water conduit. Several circumferential breaks occurred in bells in presence of longitudinal temperature stresses, numerous defects caused by substandard pipe fabricating methods and by poor erection practices. Litigations that followed involved a number of experts whose reports often contained conflicting opinions. The purpose of this paper is to present all the aspects of this technical controversy and describe repair methods used. An assessment of AWWA publications on steel pipe design and construction is also included.